Garbage dump turns safe haven for stray dogs in Magam

Srinagar, May 02: A garbage collection site near Municipal Committee Magam in central Kashmir’s Budgam has become a safe haven for stray dogs which is causing inconvenience to people.
Residents of Magam and its adjoining areas expressed serious concern over the presence of stray dogs at the temporary garbage collection site causing inconveniences to pedestrians and locals.
Sajad Ahmad, a resident, said the MC Magam authorities collect the garbage of the town and dump it before taking it to the main garbage dumping site. “They can directly take the garbage in vehicles to the main dumping site which is not being done,” he said.
He said the huge presence of stray dogs due to garbage at the site has created fear among the people and the dogs can attack the pedestrians.
“There is a huge presence of stray dogs near the office of MC Magam. We fear the dogs may attack children and elderly people who walk on the road each passing day,” Sajad said.
He said the collection point is on the banks of one of the tributaries of Ferozpora Nallah which is also polluting the pristine beauty of this water body which he said should be discouraged.
The resident demanded shifting of the garbage collection site to the already identified dumping site so that people don’t face any problem adding that shifting will end dog menace.
As per the residents, during summer, the temporary garbage collection site turns filthy and a nasty smell emanates out of it demanding its shifting.
Javid Ahmad, another resident, said pedestrians who do not know about the presence of dogs are at more risk and dogs can attack anyone anytime.
“We have requested the MC Magam authorities many times to stop collecting garbage and waste material but they didn’t pay any heed to our repeated requests,” he said. They requested the MC Magam authorities to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Magam, Ajaz Ahmad said this is a temporary place for garbage collection and the garbage remains there for some time during the day.
“We are trying to shift this temporary garbage collection place. The dumping site is 4 kilometres away from the town. The road to the dumping site is not good and during rains it is not feasible for traffic. We are planning to shift very soon so that people don’t face any kind of problem,” he said.
The EO said once the temporary site is shifted then they will be taking the garbage directly to the dumping site. “We are working in this direction,” he said.